Vlad-Handing: SILVER HILLS COZY MYSTERIES, #7

COME TO SILVER HILLS. Where an old nemesis can lead to new trouble and murder is a line item in a business plan.

Vlad Newsome isn't exactly known as a people person. He's really more contentious than convivial.

But something's changed with him, and Flo and Agnes are suspicious.

Vlad's suddenly peopling. He's shaking hands and even curving his thin lips upward at times in a terrifying imitation of a smile.

Could it be he's turning over a new leaf? Is he facing a life-changing event that's made him grow as a person?

Nah...

He's up to something. And Flo and Agnes are determined to find out what.

When a woman who had a beef with the reprehensible creature of the night known as Vlad Newsome turns up dead in her home...Vlad appears to be the culprit behind her murder.

Silver City PD certainly believe he's guilty. But Vlad insists he's innocent. It's going to be up to Flo and Co. to solve the murder and find the real killer. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the ladies aren't totally certain Vlad isn't the murderer.

Will Flo and Co. walk away...leave Vlad to defend himself? If you believe that you haven't been paying attention.

After all, this is Flo and Agnes!

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CHAPTER ONE

MAYBE SOMEBODY DIED, Agnes offered.

Flo rolled her eyes and pulled a spiky branch up to cover her face. I hope not, since they're all laughing.

Agnes's round face folded into a frown. In some cultures, death is celebrated.

While I realize being a vampire could be considered another culture...I doubt any of Vlad's victims or their families would celebrate death by fang. Flo ducked, pulling the branch with her, as the goth version of a night manager skimmed a look her way. Regrettably, her movement totally exposed her fellow stalker.

Agnes gulped loudly as Vladwick Newsome fixed his black, deadly gaze on her, clearly miffed. He saw me, Flo.

Another man approached Vlad and, unbelievably, the usually unfriendly night manager offered the tall, tough-looking man his hand. They shook vigorously and Vlad actually leaned close, whispering something to the other man that made him smile.

What the? Agnes stood up, glaring across the street until Vlad turned her way. Then he said something to his new friend and started toward them, his dark eyes flashing with anger.

Flo grabbed her friend's hand. Come on. It's still daylight. His powers are weaker when the sun's up.

Snorting, Agnes let herself be dragged toward the street. I almost wish he really was a vampire so that would be true.

Flo sighed. Me too. They hurried across the street and headed toward home. I think we just witnessed Vlad's attempt to foil our plans.

Agnes shrugged. To tell you the truth, I'm okay with that. I really don't want to be a weekend manager.

Why not? Flo asked. I'll admit the pay's not great but it would be nice to have a little extra income, wouldn't it? Agnes didn't actually have any income at the moment. She was able to live at Silver Hills because of an inheritance from her parents, which was just enough to pay for her apartment there and not much else.

Her friend shrugged. It's just...

Hey! The snotty, strident voice assaulted them from across the street.

Flo grabbed Agnes' hand, pulling her into a faster walk. Don't look back.

We can't just ignore him, Agnes said as she began to turn.

Flo jerked her around. Don't! He's just going to threaten you and Tolstoy with eviction again.

Flo, you know he's going to do that anyway. He's going to be mad if I put my name in the hat for the manager's position.

But if you get the job he won't be able to threaten you with that ever again, Flo reminded her.

She saw the moment the realization hit. Agnes' round, expressive face brightened in a smile. You're right. To Flo's horror, Agnes stopped and turned as Vlad hurried closer. What up, vamp?

The cranky night manager curled his lip and oozed to a stop deep inside their comfort zone.

Flo took a step backward, glaring at him. Vlad.

He gave her a smug grimace. Annoying woman from the second floor.

Flo fought irritation. The man knew perfectly well who she was. He just liked to pretend she was so unimportant he couldn't remember her name. She clamped her lips down on the desire to give it to him again. It wouldn't make any difference and would allow him a win.

She was all about not giving Vlad Newsome a win.

He turned a piercing, nearly black gaze toward Agnes. Flo saw her friend twitch, her eyes widening as if she couldn't look away.

He can't compel you with his gaze, Agnes.

Agnes chewed on her bottom lip. Are you sure? I'm feeling kind of woozy.

That's because you stopped breathing. Flo touched her friend's thick wrist. Drop your eyes and breathe, fool.

Agnes didn't blink. Her eyes were so big Flo was afraid they might be stuck. Agnes, a bug's going to fly into your eyes if you don't blink.

Agnes' mouth opened into a horrified O. She hated when that happened. I can't Flo, he's got me.

Vlad chuckled darkly, clearly enjoying Agnes' hysteria.

Flo reached out and punched him in the arm.

Ow! His smile died as he rubbed his skinny arm. That hurt.

Fortunately, when he looked away, Agnes broke the spell she'd put on herself. She glared at him. You won't stop me with your vampire ways, she told him angrily.

He shook his head. You people are idiots. There is no such thing as vampires.

That's exactly what a vampire would say when it was about to be outed, Agnes told him smugly.

Vlad shook his dark head but didn't give her a smarmy comeback.

Flo jerked her head toward the spot where they'd seen him actually conversing with Silver Hills residents. You were talking to the Baccarat brothers. What are you up to, Vlad? He'd never before bothered to speak to anyone unless he had to. The fact that he'd been laughing and glad-handing with three men from the third floor made her very suspicious.

I don't believe my personal conversations are under your purview, woman from the second floor.

Flo growled a little before she caught herself. You never speak to any of us. You're up to something and I promise you I'm going to find out what it is.

He stared at her, his dark gaze cold and dead like a shark's. Flo barely restrained from shuddering under that icy perusal. I saw you two spying on me from behind the potted plant. You need to stop following me around or I'm going to speak to Detective Peters about a restraining order.

Flo's stomach did a little flip. He'd actually surprised her with that one. We weren't following you around.

He lifted a slender black brow. Oh? So, your story is you just happened to be skulking around behind that plant and I walked across your field of vision?

Flo thought for a moment, wondering if she could sell that if she needed to. But of course, she'd never get that chance because she had Chatty Agnes for a best friend.

For your information, we've never spied on you before. This was the first time.

Not helping, Agnes, Flo murmured.

"But Flo's right. You are up to something and we're going to find out what it is."

Vlad crossed his arms over his scrawny chest. Then I can expect more stalking?

Yes.

No!

Flo glared at her friend. Agnes lowered her brow and glared back. He's not going to get away with this, Flo.

Vlad chuckled. Get away with what, mutant? Having a conversation with friends on the street?

Flo's first instinct was to laugh. The idea of Vladwick Newsome having friends was ludicrous. It wasn't even clear if his wife, Morty liked him.

Flo blinked. Morty... She grabbed Agnes' beefy arm. We're going home. And you can rest assured we won't be peering at you through any more plants, she told him with a grim smile. We won't need to.

She could feel his hostile glare on her back as they hoofed it toward Silver Hills. Flo knew what he was thinking and he was right. She smiled.

Was that a threat? he called after them.

Flo's smile widened. She merely threw a hand up and waved at him above her head.

You look like Tolstoy after he caught that mouse last week, Agnes said.

Grimacing at the memory of mouse corpse on her welcome mat, Flo stepped up the pace in case Vlad decided to turn into mist and try to overtake them. If the mouse represents that horrible man then, guilty as charged.

What are you up to, Flo?

She tugged the front door open and held it for her friend. Nothing.

Agnes stepped through ahead of her. I know that look on your face, Flo. That's not nothing.

Flo chuckled. You're right. It's something. A reedy voice hailed them from the bar and they looked up to find Scarlett holding court with several of the singles and Roger Attles, Flo's sort of boyfriend. She waved as he stood up and motioned for her to join them. Always the gentleman.

Come on, looks like happy hour started without us.

You go ahead, hun. I'm going to the office. I'll be there in a minute.

And there it is. Agnes heaved out a big sigh. You'll tell me later?

Of course.

Mm hm. Agnes shook her big head. Between you and the blood sucker I just can't keep up.

Flo watched her friend walk across the room to a resounding cheer as the singles caught sight of her. Agnes did a little dance and they all broke out into a chorus of laughter.

Flo held her finger up to Roger and determinedly turned toward the door marked with an Office sign. If she was lucky Morticia Newsome would be at her desk. And not out terrifying villagers or running from a pitchfork wielding mob.

Surprisingly, Morticia's drawn, narrow face wasn't the one that greeted Flo when she opened the door.

Richard Attles, the day manager at Silver Hills and son to Flo's kind of boyfriend, Roger, smiled up from the desk Morty usually haunted. Afternoon, Mrs. Bee. What can I do you for? He stood up and closed the folder he'd been perusing when she opened the door

I was hoping to speak with Morty.

Richard walked around the oversized wood desk and sat down on the front edge, crossing his arms over his chest. She's not here yet. I expect her any minute. He cocked his head when Flo frowned. Is everything all right?

She knew he had to be surprised that Flo was looking for Morty. Despite the fact that Flo had helped Morty on a kidnapping-cultist case recently, the two of them could hardly be considered besties. I was hoping to find out how the search was going for the weekend manager. To Flo's surprise, the goth twins, Vlad and Morty, had volunteered to vet out and hire the new manager themselves. Or at least give recommendations for who should be hired.

They've been very closed lipped about it all. He glanced toward the folder on the desk. I think it's going well. We've had lots of people come in for interviews.

She thought carefully for a moment before responding. Finally, she asked, anybody promising?

Why do I get the impression you have a specific question you aren't asking me?

Probably because I do. Agnes and I just spotted Vlad downtown, schmoozing the Baccarat brothers from three.

Richard's light brown eyebrows shot skyward. Schmoozing?

Yeah. That was my reaction too. He even shook their hands and I didn't see him pull out the sanitizer after he did.

Vlad doesn't schmooze. He glanced at Flo and shook his head. I don't need to tell you that, do I? If anybody understands how allergic the Newsomes are to peopling it's you.

Amen and amen. She glanced toward the door and stepped closer, lowering her voice. Are the Newsome's vying for the weekend job themselves?

Richard frowned. I hadn't even considered that. I'm not sure why they would, since the position is being filled to give the three of us some time off.

But there's money attached to the job now.

True. The extra money might be an inducement. He gave it another moment's thought and then shook his head. I really doubt the board would give them the job. Vlad has to know that.

Maybe they know someone they want to stuff into it, then? One of the interesting aspects of the new hire was the board's insistence that the residents would have a vote in who they picked. What Richard was too kind to say was that, in a popularity contest, the Newsome's would be dead in the water. Unless they turned over a new leaf really fast. Or did some creative bribing. But if they'd made a deal with somebody to push the vote their way...well...Flo made it a point never to underestimate the gruesome twosome's criminal genius. Do they seem partial to anyone in particular?

There was this one young woman... His eyes went wide. Now that I think on it, they did seem to know a lot about her.

A relative, maybe?

Not unless she's a very distant relative. I don’t think they’ve ever met her face to face. I’ve seen her and she’s not the Newsomes’ kind of people.

Grinning, Flo took his meaning. "You mean she probably wouldn't get offered a job in the next Addam's Family remake?"

As Cousin Marilyn, maybe...

The ugly one... Flo laughed. Got it. Thanks, Richard.

No problem. Hey, wasn't Agnes going to put in for the job?

Flo opened the door and stood with it cracked only a couple of inches. I've been working on her but she's resistant.

Why? As popular as she is, she'd be a shoe in.

That's what I keep telling her. Don't worry, I'll make sure she applies.

Well hurry up. Applications are going to be cut off at the end of the week. He smiled. I'd love to see Agnes get the job. She knows everybody and is well liked. And she comes fully equipped with a regulating mechanism.

You mean me?

Richard's grin widened. See you later.

Shaking her head, Flo left the office chuckling. Richard was right. If Agnes got the job, Flo would be there to help and...guide...her through any difficulties she encountered. The residence would really be getting two managers for the price of one. Flo knew she should resent his expectation, but she liked Richard. He was good people. And he was a smart man. Flo would support her friend through whatever crisis Agnes might encounter as a weekend manager. She wouldn't have it any other way.

Hey there, doll.

She looked up to find Roger heading her way, his long, lean form moving lithely across the entryway and his handsome face filled with pleasure. She got a warm jolt of happiness in the center of her chest upon seeing him. There was just something so wonderful about being with someone who was that pleased to cast eyes on you.

Especially someone as handsome and distinguished as Roger Attles.

Hey yourself.

He captured her hand and lifted it to his lips, giving it a warm kiss that made her toes curl with pleasure. He nodded toward the office. Is there a problem?

No. I was just trying to get the inside scoop on the weekend manager job.

He lifted bushy gray brows in surprise. Are you considering taking it?

Not me. I'm trying to get Agnes to take it.